
Downtown Bristol Blog
Participate in the Bristol Virginia Comprehensive Planning Process

The Comprehensive Plan update for the City of Bristol, VA will create a blueprint for our future – a new Comprehensive Plan that that will guide the City in its decision making for the next 10-20 years. You can find surveys, calendar events, and updates on the official website.
Bristol TN hosts "Bristol Exchange" listening posts in May
The City of Bristol is seeking community feedback as it introduces its new listening posts format being called “Bristol Exchange.” The series of five meetings will begin in the City’s various neighborhoods in mid-May. The meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:00PM at each location, where light refreshments will be provided.
Bristol Public Library and Northeast State Community College Form Alliance for Workforce Training
Northeast State Community College has received a $150,000 grant to support advanced technology workforce training opportunities throughout Northeast Tennessee. The three year grant will be administered by the College Access Programs office at Northeast State.
2015 Full Moon Jam Concert Series

Starting June 2nd and for the 19th year, the City of Bristol Tennessee will be hosting the free concert series "Full Moon Jam" on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Downtown Center (Country Music Mural), 810 State Street. Performances begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 9 or 9:30 p.m.
Bristol TN Drinking Water Week: What Do You Know About H2O?

The city is kicking off the national Drinking Water Week today by asking the question, “What do you know about H2O?”
Downtown Bristol Events
Rubber Hoes Block Party

Quaker Steak & Lube will host a block party featuring Rubber Hoes May 7, 2015 from 6-9pm.
Samba Lesson

Learn to samba at the Bristol Ballet Studio! Lesson from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, followed by dancing until 10:30 pm.
Cost is $5 per person with all fees going to support the non-profit Bristol Ballet; refreshments provided, but snack to share always welcome.
2nd Annual Caterpillar Crawl 5K and 1 Mile Family Run/Walk

The Junior League of Bristol TN-VA’s 2nd Annual Caterpillar Crawl 5K & 1 Mile Family Run/Walk presented by Muncy Family Chiropractic & Sports Health Center.
May 9, 2015
The race starts at 8am at Cumberland Square Park in downtown Bristol, VA. After the race, stay and enjoy a family friendly Caterpillar Crawl event and drawings for door prizes!
Registration: 5K — $20/pre-registration, $25/day of registration.
1 mile walk — $15/preregistration, $20/day of registration.
Pre-race packet pick-up will be at Believe in Bristol from 5-7pm on May 8.
Last chance registration can be done from 5-7pm at Believe in Bristol on May 8th or at 6:30am at the Cumberland Park stage on May 9th.
Click here to register online!
All pre-registered runners/walkers are guaranteed a t-shirt and goody bag!
The one mile run/walk will be untimed, but all children 12 and under will receive a participation ribbon.
*Please bring an elementary-age book to donate to the JLB Free Little Library*
Mother's Day Brunch

Treat your Mom to a delicious Mother's Day Brunch at KP. Brunch will be served Sunday, May 10th from 10 am — 3 pm. Reservations are required. Call today to reserve your table! 423-764-3889.
The Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 Forever Remembered In Bristol History

Bristol history is immersed with unique tales that help document where we live. One unique story to our city is how the Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 is forever connected to a local Bristol neighborhood. William Van Huss will present a program before the Bristol Historical Association on Bristol’s infamous Solar Hill on Monday, May 11, 6:30pm at the Bristol Public Library. This is an intriguing story that brought national attention to the fledging towns of Goodson Virginia and Bristol Tennessee.
The library will be closed the evening of May 11 but this public meeting will be held in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room accessible from the rear entrance and parking lot.
Mr. Van Huss will speak about his research on the Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 and the observatory that gave Solar Hill its name. In August of that year, the growing towns of Goodson and Bristol played host to a group of scientists and surveyors from Washington as they erected an observatory on a grassy hill overlooking the downtown. The rare event would provide an opportunity for them to observe and study the phenomenon. It would also mark a turning point in the history of Bristol as the development of the historic Solar Hill neighborhood would soon follow.
Huss is a native of Bristol. He is an artist, writer, and graduate of King University with a B.A. in History. Active in independent press and performing arts for over 20 years, Mr. Van Huss has published essays and poetry in academic journals, small press, and national publications. He currently paints on the forgotten medium of black velvet and enjoys hiking in our beautiful Appalachian mountains.
The May 11 meeting is open to the public and held in conjunction with the library’s mission of “Expanding Minds and Building Community”. Please note that you will enter the meeting room at the rear entrance.
An upcoming program for the association will be presented by Charlie Barnette & Carol Hawthorne-Taylor, on Lost Cemeteries of the Region, on Monday, June 8.
Contact Tim Buchanan, president, for details of this or other upcoming programs, buchanan03@bvu.net.
C2 & Brothers Reed and Los Colognes at Border Bash

Border Bash, a free summer concert series held annually May through August, celebrates 16 years with live music, children's activities, art, crafts, and food vendors on State Street, the place where country music was born.
The first Border Bash of the season kicks off with performances by two amazing acts, C2 and the Brothers Reed and Los Colognes, who will also perform at this year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival.
Bring the family, bring your friends, and dance in two states! Border Bash is brought to you through a partnership with Believe in Bristol and Birthplace of Country Music.
Border Bash is hosted by Believe in Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music® the Cities of Bristol and Toyota of Bristol. Border Bash would not be possible without our community sponsors. Our sponsors in 2015 includeBank of Tennessee, Benjamin Walls Gallery, Bill & Brenda Johnstone, Blackbird Bakery, Blakley Mitchell Co., Bristol Herald Courier, Camellia Digital, Celebrate Bristol, Coca-Cola, Cranberry Lane, Dent K Burk CPA’s, Doug & Amy Williams, Dr. & Mrs. Ben Cowan Jr., Dr. & Mrs. Jim Geiger, Dr. & Mrs. John Fincher, Electric 94.9 FM, Express AV Productions, First Sentinel Bank, First Tennessee Foundation, Merrill-Lynch, Quaker Steak & Lube, Renasant Bank, Revolution Curbside Recycling, Spiegler Blevins & Co. CPA's, Spike & Lisa Tickle, The Homer A. & Ida S. Jones Charitable Trust, The Southern Churn, The Williams Company Inc, Tom & Barbara Smith, Tri-City Tent & Event, TriCities Entertainment, Walling Distributing, WCYB News 5,Wellness Yoga of Bristol, Wells Fargo, WEXX 99.3 FM,WXBQ 96.6 FM, Young Cypress Consulting LLC.
Also Coming Up
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Rubber Hoes Block Party
May 7 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
AAME Speakers Series: Cornelia Laemmli Orth
May 7 | Bristol Public Library -
Laura Thurston
May 7 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Samba Lesson
May 8 | Bristol Ballet -
Johnson Depot
May 8 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
The Grand Ole Uproar
May 8 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
2nd Annual Caterpillar Crawl 5K and 1 Mile Family Run/Walk
May 9 | Cumberland Square Park -
Mother's Day Brunch
May 10 | KP -
The Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 Forever Remembered In Bristol History
May 11 | Bristol Public Library -
The Pickin' Porch Show: Boots on the Ground
May 11 | Foundation Event Facility -
Shooter
May 14 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
C2 & Brothers Reed and Los Colognes at Border Bash
May 15 | Downtown Bristol -
Marcus Boyd
May 15 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Los Colognes at Border Bash
May 15 | Downtown Bristol -
Wrenn
May 15 | 620 State -
Plan Z
May 15 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Shape Note Sing-a-long
May 16 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Bristol Recovery Road Fundraiser featuring Alathea
May 16 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Spring Break Out Car, Truck & Bike Show
May 16 | Downtown Bristol -
Riverbank Ramblers at Quaker Steak & Lube
May 16 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Riverbank Ramblers
May 16 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
The Pickin' Porch Show: Sherman Lee Dillon & Dennis Cash
May 18 | Foundation Event Facility -
Fastway Productions
May 21 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Ryan Ward
May 21 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
The Dugger Band
May 22 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
The Essential Workshop
May 23 | Wellness Yoga of Bristol -
Lauren Cole Band
May 23 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Free Family Fun Day at Birthplace of Country Music Museum
May 24 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
The Plum Smugglers
May 28 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Jason Isbell at The Paramount Center
May 28 | Paramount Center for the Arts -
Catfish Frye Band
May 29 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Jimi Hall with Jana and the Ukaladies
May 30 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Riverbank Ramblers
May 30 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Plan Z
June 3 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Banditos at Border Bash
June 5 | Downtown Bristol -
Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats at Border Bash
June 5 | Downtown Bristol -
New Artist Reception for Photographer Willis Jones
June 7 | A Work of Art Gallery & Gifts -
Push! Film Felstival
June 12–14 | Downtown Bristol -
6x6 Artwork Fundraiser
June 12–14 | A Work of Art Gallery & Gifts -
Music & Movies in the Park: ET
June 12 | Cumberland Square Park -
Second Sunday Concert Series: Todd Day Wait's Pigpen
June 14 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Ryan Ward
June 18 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Theatre Bristol presents Les Misérables
June 19–28 | Paramount Center for the Arts -
Margo Price and the Pricetags at Border Bash
June 19 | Downtown Bristol -
Cale Tyson at Border Bash
June 19 | Downtown Bristol -
Friends of 1927 Concert Series presents Paul Thorn
June 20 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Music & Movies in the Park: Duty Free and The Boxtrolls
July 2 | Cumberland Square Park -
Full Moon Jam — Retroville
July 2 | Downtown Center -
Bill and the Belles at Border Bash
July 4 | Downtown Bristol -
Band of Drifters at Border Bash
July 4 | Downtown Bristol -
Plan Z
July 4 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Full Moon Jam — Glen Harlow and Friends
July 7 | Downtown Center -
Music & Movies in the Park: Ivy Road and Annie
July 9 | Cumberland Square Park -
Full Moon Jam — Free Falling
July 9 | Downtown Center -
The Grand Ole Uproar
July 10 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Full Moon Jam — American Floyd
July 13 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam — Ken Morrell and Family
July 14 | Downtown Center -
Music & Movies in the Park: Shooter and Night at the Museum
July 16 | Cumberland Square Park -
Full Moon Jam — Lance Stinson
July 16 | Downtown Center -
The Appleseed Collective at Border Bash
July 17 | Downtown Bristol -
Blank Range at Border Bash
July 17 | Downtown Bristol -
Riverbank Ramblers
July 18 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Music & Movies in the Park: Kids Our Age and Now You See Me
July 23 | Cumberland Square Park -
Full Moon Jam — Thomas Taylor
July 23 | Downtown Center -
Ryan Ward
July 23 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Full Moon Jam — The Kody Norris Show
July 28 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam — Daisi Rain
July 30 | Downtown Center -
Music & Movies in the Park: Bark in the Park
August 6 | Cumberland Square Park -
Full Moon Jam — Gomer and the Three Pyles
August 6 | Downtown Center -
Desert Noises at Border Bash
August 7 | Downtown Bristol -
Fly Golden Eagle at Border Bash
August 7 | Downtown Bristol -
Friends of 1927 Concert Series presents Jonathan Edwards
August 8 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Second Sunday Concert Series: The Honeycutters
August 9 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Plan Z
August 15 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Plan Z
September 2 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Full Moon Jam — JB 5 N Dime
September 3 | Downtown Center -
The Grand Ole Uproar
September 12 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2015
September 18–20 | Downtown Bristol -
Plan Z
September 26 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
The Grand Ole Uproar
November 14 | O'Mainnin's Pub
Community Notice Board
Bristol Office Supply Weekly Specials
Through May 8Click here to view weekly specials.
State Street Farmer's Market Now Open!

The Market will open in May through September. Hours are Wednesdays from 3-7 PM through and every Saturday from 8-Noon.Join Us...at the State Street Farmer's Market where local merchants, fresh food and fun times come together. Choose your favorite local produce, homemade foods and unique arts and crafts.
Don't forget! The State Street Farmer's Market accepts SNAP/EBT cards. Participants can scan their card and receive wooden tokens of either $1 or $2 in value and can use those tokens with participating vendors.
Certified Entrepreneur Classes
Tuesday evenings in June | Bristol Chamber of CommerceBristol Chamber will offer its Certified Entrepreneur classes Tuesday evenings in June. The five class series is $99 per person and will cover the following topics:
June 2
5:30 – 6:00 pm: Meet & Greet for all presenters and participants
6:00 – 7:00 pm: Session 1 – Licenses, Inspections, Permits
7:15 – 8:30 pm: Business Plan Introduction – Part 1: Getting To Know Yourself/BP Overview
June 9
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Session 2 – LLC, Sole-Proprietor, Partnership and other Legal Issues by Cities of Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA
6:40 – 8:00 pm: Business Plan – Part 2: Business Organization and Planning
June 11
5:30 – 7:00 pm: Session 3 – Financing & Cash Flow by Wells Fargo Bank
7:10 – 8:00 pm: Business Plan – Part 3: Income & Expense Worksheets
June 16
5:30 – 7:00 pm: Session 4 – Marketing – VA Dept of Small Business & Supplier Diversity
7:10 – 8:00 pm: Business Plan – Part 4: Knowing Your Market
June 23
5:30 – 6:00 pm: Session 5 – What I Wish I Had Known! by Karen Hester
6:10 – 7:10 pm: Insurance by Burke Powers & Harty
7:15 – 8:00 pm: Business Plan – Part 5: Pulling It All Together
June 30
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Session 6 – Record Keeping: What My Accountant Needs by Dent K. Burke & Associates
6:40 – 8:30 pm: Business Plan Presentations
Registration required by May 27 to Karen Witcher at kwitcher@bristolchamber.org or phone 423-989-4850.
Sponsored by Elliott, Lawson & Minor.
Calling All Young Actors: Theatre Bristol Summer Camps
July 20 — 24 | Theatre BristolTheatre Bristol brings back summer camp with The Start of Adventure, as classic tales retake the stage to mark its 50th Anniversary.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, May 2015 — Theatre Bristol proudly announces its 2015 children’s summer camp The Start of Adventure: Classic Tales Retake the Stage, running July 20-24 at 512 State Street, Bristol, Tennessee.
Campers will explore theatre and acting skills from talented and highly respected teachers and theatre veterans in the area, including Glenn Patterson, director of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Miracle on 34th Street, and Scrooge The Musical!, and the upcoming Les Miserables, and Laura O’Bryan, lead actress in many Theatre Bristol productions. "We're really excited to be bringing our camp program back this year," says James Altman, the camp coordinator, "We're also very thankful to the professionals who will be teaching the campers valuable theatrical skills and knowledge." Guided by the Theatre Bristol Youth Service Board (YSB), campers will spend the week learning acting skills, creative movement, music, costuming, makeup design, set design, props, and more.
At the end of the week, campers will get to perform three classic shows from Theatre Bristol's early days. Kindergarten and first graders will participate in Cinderella, a show performed many years through Theatre Bristol’s history; second, third, and fourth graders participate in Tom Sawyer, its first “official” show and a classic performed many years through Theatre Bristol’s history; and fifth and sixth graders will participate in Rip Van Winkle, a major original production enlisting the significant involvement of the Bristol community. As a special treat for the campers and their families, the Theatre Bristol Youth Service Board will perform Land of the Jesters, Theatre Bristol’s inaugural show.
The Start of Adventure: Classic Tales Retake the Stage is organized by the Theatre Bristol Youth Service Board, with guidance and counsel from the Theatre Bristol Board of Directors. “I see camp as a great way for the YSB to learn leadership, organization, planning, and responsibility,” says Camille Gray, the Youth Service Board president, “We have all had wonderful opportunities on and off stage, and now we get a chance to offer our experience and knowledge to the next generation of young actors. I know Cathy would be proud.”
Camp will run Monday to Friday from 8:45am to 4:30pm, with early drop-off and late pick-up times available. Theatre Bristol will provide a healthy snack in the afternoon, however campers will need to pack a lunch each day. Registration is available online at www.theatrebristol.org. In addition, Theatre Bristol will be open from 10am to 2pm Saturdays, June 27 and July 11th to register at the office on 512 State Street. The early bird registration discount period is open until May 25, with a cost of only $125 per child, and $50 for each additional sibling. Regular registration begins May 25. The cost per camper is $150, with a family discount of each additional child reduced to $75. Financial assistance applications are also available. Space is limited so register soon!
For more information about camp and registration, please visit www.TheatreBristol.org or email info@theatrebristol.org.